Alphameric Plc looks as if it is out of the woods with its first profitable half since 1988. The pre-tax profit of UKP178,000 for the six months to September compares with a UKP252,000 loss last time – in the year before that the loss was UKP1.5m. The 75% growth in turnover comes both from its existing core business of building keyboards and integrated cash tills, and from the AlphaServ Ltd data broadcast business which it bought back from British Aerospace Plc in November 1992 (CI No 2,043). The keyboard and electronic funds transfer side accounted for sales of UKP3.7m, up from UKP3m last year, with the balance of the UKP5.28m turnover springing from the new operation. The company attributes some of its success to the new products and services which it has introduced. On the keyboard and terminal side Alphameric has brought out hardware specifically designed for a pitch into the health care market. The company says that its satellite and terrestrial broadcasting operation now serves 8,000 installations in 25 European countries. More intriguing are projects currently under way with various Government agencies that may well lead to the adoption of touch screens which will provide the public with up-to-the-minute information. No dividend is proposed, though the company says it intends to begin paying out as soon as prudent.
